Cognos Analytics v11: A Closer Look Questions & Answers

New Report Authoring, Dashboarding
& Modeling Tools
QUESTION & ANSWER LOG
COGNOS ANALYTICS V11: A CLOSER LOOK

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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ASKED BY
VIEWERS DURING THE
COGNOS ANALYTICS V11: A CLOSER LOOK
WEBINAR
Q & A LOG

Q: What kind of data sources can the data modules use other
than Excel and IBM?
A: They use uploaded files such as Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx and
.xls) and text files with comma, tab, semi colon, or pipe separated
values. The data servers use tables from existing database
connections, and data modules use existing data modules.
Q: Can the data source for a dashboard be a database or is it
limited to .csv and Excel files?
A: If you create a data module, you can use the database.
Q: Do I have to do anything special in the data model to take
advantage of grouping? Can I disable/enable specific capabilities
for given users?
A: No, the grouping feature is for binning. View this How to Create
Custom Groups in Data Modules video for more information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-uLLDdQ1DM
Questions & Answers Log – Data & Data Modules

Q: For the dashboard can I use the tables in database?
A: Yes, via data modules.
Q: In the demo you show how to build the data module and
are using a table. Is the data coming from a data model or
are you working directly with the data tables in the
database?
A: You would work directly with the tables in the database.
Q: Is there a way to refresh uploaded data files? Can I
create a reference to a data file rather than upload a data
file in Cognos Analytics?
A: You can only refresh an uploaded file manually through a
right-click menu. The resulting artifact in v11 is not a
reference though, the data lives in Cognos.

Q: Is dashboard interactive performance against databases fast in
the real world or just fast with .csv/.xls files in Cognos Analytics?
A: Like any tool that can go against live sources, the dashboard is
bound by the performance of these source. If your database is
properly indexed and sitting on a beefy server, then the dashboard
experience will be fast.
Q: Is Excel freeze functionality available with Cognos Analytics?
A: Cognos Analytics supports freezing column headers in reports set
to non-interactive currently. This was added in Cognos BI v10.2.2.
Q: How does Cognos Analytics support governance since clients
can create their own data modules? How do I ensure there is a
single version of the truth, especially when existing models and
relationships are not used?
A: It is entirely controlled by your admin. By default, uploaded files
are stored in each user’s My Content. The admin can then decide
whether to allow sharing of these files.

Q: Will data modules replace Power or Dynamic
Cubes?
A: No, data modules have a different use, they merges
external data with existing database tables and
packages.
Q: I saw you were using a data module (package +
xlsx) for a Report Studio report during the Cognos
Analytics demo. Is it possible to use a data module
package for a dashboard?
A: Yes, this is currently the only way to load data into a
dashboard.

Q: Can I schedule the extract of the data module in Cognos
Analytics? And how are the maximum records determined,
are they based on the tables modelled?
A: You cannot schedule the refresh of a snapshot, it is only
done manually in v11. The admin determines how much data
can be uploaded per upload as well as total per user.
Q: Have the subscription features changed in Cognos
Analytics?
A: The subscription feature is new to v11. It allows you to
select a report, answer the prompts, and schedule a delivery
date.
Q: Does the search engine require manual
scheduling/running of indexes in Cognos Analytics?
A: No, the search is now integrated in v11, you do not need to
schedule the index jobs anymore.
Questions & Answers Log – Features

Q: Are there more standard statistical visualizations, such
as box-plot-whiskers, histograms, and control charting in
Cognos Analytics?
A: Cognos has an extensive library of visualizations posted on
AnalyticsZone where you can see all the possibilities:
https://www.ibm.com/web/portal/analytics/analyticszone/d
ownloads/filter/?cV=/AnalyticsZone_Content/AZCatalog/Visu
alization/
Q: Does Cognos Analytics work with SDK or is that going to
be in a fix pack?
A: IBM has not updated the SDK for v11, but the previous
version should continue to work with items that have not
changed in this release. SDK will be updated soon to offer the
new set of features.
Q: Is the IBM content archive available in Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, this is still available.

Q: Will Power Cubes be supported in Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, 100%.
Q: Are there changes to Framework Manager in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Framework Manager is still a big part and required for non-
cube based packages in v11. Framework Manager remains the
same and is 100% supported.
Q: What is the difference between the data option and
model in Cognos Analytics?
A: An uploaded file could be represented as a single table
with cached data. A data module is defined as a set of tables
referencing a source(s). You can then decide to create a
cache from a data module.

Q: We use lot of portal tabs to organize content, are they
still available in Cognos Analytics?
A: They are still available, but they can no longer be set as
the default page. You can click on a portal page and it will
launch in a new browser window/tab.
Q: Are there any changes to Cognos TM1 and OLAP
Transformer in Cognos Analytics?
A: There are no changes.
Q: Will I be able to see the query editor in Cognos
Analytics? I do most of my work from the back-end.
A: Query Explorer is still a critical part of reporting and has
not changed other than the look in v11. It is only available
when using Framework Manager packages.

Q: Can I create the hierarchy and drill-down from
dashboard to report in Cognos Analytics?
A: No, this is not available at this time.
Q: Do I have to go into Cognos Analytics to see the
subscriptions or are they still emailed to users?
A: You can have your subscriptions emailed to you, you will
need to set your delivery preferences to email.
Q: What are the changes to Cognos Connection in Cognos
Analytics? Will it work in the same fashion?
A: Cognos Connection has been replaced with the the v11 user
interface. The biggest difference is the lack of portal tabs.
Navigating through folders is similar, but the search
capabilities have been greatly improved to make this the new
standard for finding reports.

Q: What are the differences between Workspace and
Workspace Advanced in Cognos Analytics? Do you have
a cheat sheet that compares the differences between
Workspace and Workspace Advanced?
A: Workspace is a dashboard canvas tool that allows you
to drag existing content onto the page and arrange it in
a way that is useful to you. Workspace is hidden by
default because it has been announced for deprecation.
Workspace Advanced is similar to Query Studio and is a
lighter version of Report Studio with fewer features.
Q: Are data server database connections or
Framework Manager packages available in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Yes, all existing connections should migrate to v11.

Q: The presentation layer looks great, like the user
interactivity. Does the recommended data structure format
needed to support the analytics layer change in Cognos
Analytics?
A: The same rules apply for v11 as they have for v10 and
earlier versions. Star Schemas, Dynamic Cubes, and Power
Cubes still give the best performance.
Q: Are there any changes to mapping in Cognos Analytics?
It would be ideal if zip codes were available.
A: Maps are part of the visualizations. The existing maps will
most likely not be provided at a zip code level as there is a
good deal of maintenance keeping this up to date. ESRI would
be a good place to go for this specific need once they re-
integrate with v11. We do not have a timeframe for when or
if this will happen.

Q: Can I still create customized views with saved prompt
values in Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, you can do this from the Report Viewer.
Q: In the "New" button menu, I saw an "Other" option.
What does this option refer to? We have already upgraded
to Cognos Analytics and do not currently have this option.
A: The “Other” category is where the companion applications
appear, such as Query Studio, Analysis Studio, Cognos
Workspace, Event Studio.
Q: The Event Studio functionality was extremely useful.
Will this type of functionality continue to exist in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Yes, Event Studio is included in v11, no changes or
enhancements are planned for it.

Q: What are the changes to the modeling tools in Cognos
Analytics?
A: There are no changes to Framework Manager and
transformation tools. The data module tool is not a
replacement for these tools as its main focus is to provide a
simple way for business users to merge and create a quick
model.
Q: Can I change the Cognos portal in Cognos Analytics like I
did in v10.x?
A: You can assign a report or dashboard as your home page,
but the UI is not yet customizable.
Q: Is there Android support for mobile devices for Cognos
Analytics? And if so, which browsers are best to use?
A: There is no Android browser support for Cognos Analytics.
Android is supported via the native app.

Q: How do Gateway services on multiple dispatchers work
with Cognos Analytics? How is the load balancing done for
web services?
A: App tier dispatchers do the load balancing. To balance
across the web servers you will need an external load
balancer.
Q: Are there changes to Metric Designer or Metric Studio in
Cognos Analytics?
A: No, there are no changes to either of them.
Q: Is the RAVE (graphics) engine enhanced with Cognos
Analytics? The version in Cognos BI v10.2 is a bit
cumbersome, especially in terms of performance.
A: The RAVE engine is the same.

Q: If JavaScript must be disabled for report viewer
interactivity, that means JavaScript isn't being used for
interactivity. What engine is being installed on the client
machine to support interactivity?
A: Reports set to full-interactivity use our own JavaScript to
handle the on-demand toolbar.
Q: When will dashboards be able to use Framework
Manager models?
A: We expect at some point you will be able to use
Framework Manger models on dashboards; however, currently
this is not possible. We do not know when this feature will be
available.
Q: Do dashboards support Cube data sources in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Not currently, although we think it might with an update
at a later date.

Q: Are prompt pages, JavaScript Prompt API, and
conditional blocks still available in Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, but JavaScript will need to be disabled if you want to
use report viewer interactivity.
Q: Is SPSS supported in Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, it has the same flow as in previous versions of Cognos
BI.
Q: Will IBM Connections be supported in Cognos Analytics?
A: No, the integration is no longer available.
Q: Is auditing functionality part of Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, you can still enable audit logging as you have in the
past.

Q: Will the customizations we have on native visualization
in RAVE be the same in Cognos Analytics?
A: V11 uses the same RAVE specs as in v10.2.2. If you have
created new visualizations or modified existing one, the same
visualization bundle will continue to function.
Q: If portal objects are no longer available as tabs in
Cognos Analytics, how do I open them?
A: You could always see the portal tabs as objects in the past
from where they are developed and maintained. To open
them, click on them like a report.
Q: The map on the screen now is a Mercator projection,
designed for sailing ships. Do you have projections that are
more modern with less emphasis on the Northern
Hemisphere?
A: We do, it will be part of the Cognos Analytics roadmap.

To hear the recording from this webinar, visit our
website. While you are there, you can also view and
download the deck and this Q & A log at:
http://www.senturus.com/resources/cognos-analytics-
v11-closer-look/
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Q: Where can I get the recording to this webinar?
A: You can get the slide deck and recording at the Senturus
website at: Cognos Analytics v11 Closer Look: New Report
Authoring, Dashboarding, and Modeling Tools:
http://www.senturus.com/resources/cognos-analytics-v11-
closer-look/
Q: Is Cognos Analytics a replacement for Cognos BI or is it
part of standard Cognos?
A: It is the new version of Cognos BI. So it becomes the new
standard version.
Q: How do I install Cognos Analytics?
A: Refer to the Cognos Analytics Installation and Configuration
document at:
http://public.dhe.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/document
ation/docs/en/11.0.0/inst_cr_winux.pdf
Questions & Answers Log – General Information

Q: To my knowledge there has only been an interim fix
pack for Cognos Analytics, when is this expected to be
available?
A: Cognos Analytics 11.0.1.0 is available today.
Q: Where can I download Cognos Analytics?
A: Download a free trial of v11:
http://www.ibm.com/web/portal/analytics/analyticszone/h
ome
Q: Does Cognos Analytics run on Chrome as well as it does
on IE?
A: Chrome 45 and beyond is supported. IE is still the most
supported browser. See the full list of v11 supported
software at http://www-
969.ibm.com/software/reports/compatibility/clarity-
reports/report/html/softwareReqsForProduct?deliverableId=1
374252186332&osPlatform=Windows#!

Q: I have heard of a Cognos Centers of Excellence. Can you
explain what it is and provide a link to the site?
A: We don’t have any information about these Centers at the
moment.
Q: Are there any security changes in Cognos Analytics?
A: Your existing permission settings will be carried forward.
The permissions UI has been simplified, but you can always
revert back to see the traditional policies, such as read,
write, traverse.
Q: How do I change the Welcome to IBM Cognos Analytics
homepage to customize it for my company? In addition to
customizing it for my company, how can I place multiple
reports on the home page?
A: This functionality is currently not available. However, you
can set your homepage per user or group, which is described
on the roadmap.

Q: My client is using Microsoft Windows phones. Currently
Cognos BI v10.2 is not supported on the IE browser on
these phones. We made it work by setting the IE to desktop
mode, but the client is not happy. Are these phones
supported in Cognos Analytics?
A: No, there is no support for Windows phones.
Q: Is there a procedure on getting SSO implemented via
optionally installed Gateway?
A: No, you will need to follow the IIS Gateway configuration
as you have done in the past for SSO.
Q: Will limited local processing be better in Cognos
Analytics compared to Cognos BI 8.x-10.x?
A: There are no changes to joins and queries. Chart rendering
and dashboarding are done on the client browser.

Q: The IIS Gateway seems broken. I contacted IBM support
and was advised that the URL rewrite was required to
setup a reverse proxy to the dispatcher. We can't be the
only ones with a multi-dispatcher environment with IIS
Gateways. Will this be remedied in the first fix pack?
A: We don’t have detailed information about fix packs at this
time. Please work with your IBM team for timing of fixes.
Q: Have timelines been announced for the next
release/update of Cognos Analytics?
A: Releases are planned every quarter with fixes and
enhancements. You can download them from Passport
Advantage: https://www-
01.ibm.com/software/passportadvantage/pao_customer.html
Q: Does Cognos Analytics integrate with Watson Analytics?
A: No, but Watson can import data from v11.

Q: We have over 5,000 Cognos users and it has taken us
years to get them trained at a pretty big cost. Before
migrating to Cognos Analytics they will have to train again
which will not be an easy task. We’d like to use v10 as long
as possible. How long will Cognos BI v10.2.2 be supported?
A: Cognos 10.2.x was released September 2012, and does not
currently have an end-of-support date set. However, 10.1.x
had a six-year support window. Based on that, you would
need to upgrade to v11 by the end of 2018.
Q: Does Cognos Analytics require DB2 for the content
store?
A: No, all the standard databases apply: SQL Server, Oracle,
and others. View the IBM compatibility report for more
information at: http://www-
969.ibm.com/software/reports/compatibility/clarity-
reports/report/html/prereqsForProduct?deliverableId=00D7B3
30D02D11E59F24EFAA317531D1#sw-4

Q: What is the best hardware to use with Cognos Analytics?
A: V11 supports a wide range of hardware. View the IBM
compatibility report for more information at: http://www-
01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27047186
Q: When will Cognos Analytics Express version be
available?
A: There is still Cognos Express licensing, even though the
software is the same as Cognos Enterprise. Express is
currently on v10.2.2 and will be updated to v11 at the end of
Q2 or early Q3, 2016.
Q: It sounds like Cognos Analytics is still in the alpha
development stage. When will the full version be released?
A: The full v11 version was released Dec 23, 2015.

Q: In reporting can I have one group that has full
capabilities and another group that has limited
capabilities of this module?
A: Yes, you can do this by restricting access in the data
module interface.
Q: Will Reporting in Cognos Analytics have an option
to show the filters like Query Studio currently does?
A: Yes, that is part of the Cognos Analytics roadmap.
Q: Is the Report Studio user customization tool in
Administration->Library available in Cognos Analytics?
A: Unfortunately, this feature has been depreciated and
not available in v11.
Questions & Answers Log – Reports & Studios

Q: Is PowerPlay Studio available in Cognos Analytics?
A: PowerPlay is currently not available in v11 due to a known bug.
IBM is working to fix the issue. You may also want to check out the
recording from our webinar: Preparing for Cognos Analytics v11:
Prep v10 Now to Ensure a Smooth Upgrade Later, in which we
discuss the topic in detail in at:
http://www.senturus.com/resources/preparing-for-cognos-
analytics-v11/
Q: Is Event Studio replaced by subscriptions in Cognos Analytics?
A: No, subscriptions are meant as an easy way for you to setup a
schedule to receive a report on a chosen interval.
Q: How do we migrate our previously created reports in Report
Studio to Cognos Analytics?
A: Report Studio reports will automatically migrate to v11 and be
100% compatible. So, there is nothing for you to do after migrating.

Q: If the Report Studio customization tool has been
depreciated in Cognos Analytics, how will I be able to limit
the functions of the former Query Studio and Workspace
Advanced users?
A: With the new interactivity in the Report Viewer, and the
simplification of the UI, IBM decided to remove the v10.2.2
profiles, you will not be able to limit the functions.
Q: How would we separate former Workspace Advanced users
from Report Studio users if they are in one reporting mode
now?
A: If you have upgraded to the new licensing model, you
shouldn’t need to differentiate anymore. They are now the
same.
Q: What do we replace Event Studio with in Cognos Analytics?
A: Event Studio is still in included in v11. By default it is hidden,
but you can find it under the “Other” menu.

Q: Before editing a report in Cognos Analytics, is it possible to
see what subject area the existing query items are coming
from?
A: Yes, you can see the source of each field in the report using
the lineage functionality. This is available in the non-interactive
viewer.
Q: How do I see the Query Viewer while creating a report in
Cognos Analytics?
A: There is an icon that will allow you to select the page, query,
and conditional explorer viewers. The viewers are the same,
only the process of getting to it is different.
Q: Can I lock scheduling to follow an event (such as when I
want to refresh the data) similar to a trigger-based event, as
was possible in Event Studio?
A: Trigger-based scheduling is available in v11, you do not need
to use Event Studio for this.

Q: I am a report author. When I schedule a report to be
delivered by email, is there an option or setting to specify the
“From” field in the email address?
A: No.
Q: We would like to output a scheduled report to a file
location outside of the Cognos server such as a shared
network location. Is this possible to do in Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, this works the same way as it did in the past.
Q: Will complex cross tab report be available in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Crosstabs build in Report Studio should function the same as
they do today in v10.

Q: Does Cognos Analytics support Active Reports?
A: Yes, Active Reports are part of the reporting tool.
Q: Do you know of any tool for migrating Hyperion
reports to Cognos Analytics?
A: There are several articles online that can assist.
Q: Is it possible to embed report outputs in webpages or
allow reports to be FTP/SFTP out of Cognos Analytics
into the wider world?
A: Without knowing more about your vision, I would
suggest the SDK could be used for projects like this.

Q: Is dimensional reporting still supported in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Is Metric Studio being supported in Cognos Analytics?
A: You will still have access to Metric Studio in v11 in a
separate tab, but this will be the last version supporting
Metric Studio.
Q: Are there plans to merge Report and Active Report
with Cognos Analytics? or just enhance Active Reports
for easy use?
A: Active Reports are more tightly integrated into the new
reporting tool.

Q: The on-demand toolbars that appear when authoring a
report against a data module is different from working with a
package. Which features in Cognos Analytics work with data
modules?
A: Both authoring (reports) and dashboards work with data
modules.
Q: In Cognos Analytics, will I be able to add reports built
against different packages onto a dashboard, like I used in
Cognos Workspace?
A: Not currently, but this should be available in a future release.
Q: Can charts be upgraded into visualizations in existing
reports in Cognos Analytics?
A: No, this will need to be done manually on a report-by-report
basis.

Q: Are there any plans to add the old Report Studio
interface to the companion applications in Cognos
Analytics?
A: No.
Q: Could subscriptions to reports cause the same queries
to be scheduled and run multiple times in Cognos
Analytics?
A: Yes, this is because the Cognos server caches and re-
uses queries whenever possible.

Q: Where is the admin console located in Cognos Analytics?
A: The bottom left icon is called Manage. Clicking on it will
allow you to launch the admin console.
Q: What changes have been made to the admin console in
Cognos Analytics?
A: The admin console is essentially the same as in v10.
Q: Is there a replacement in Cognos Analytics for being able
to limit capabilities based on a user group's tech comfort
level?
A: All v10 capabilities are available in v11, with one exception,
Report Studio Profiling is not carried forward in v11.
Questions & Answers Log – User Access

Q: Is it possible to grant users authoring ability and
specify which reports/packages they are allowed to
edit/author in Cognos Analytics? If so, how would I do
this?
A: Yes, you can limit users abilities in the properties of a
package, here you can define the permissions.
Q: Can I disable a users ability to set up time-based
scheduled events in Cognos Analytics?
A: Yes, you can do this using capabilities.
Questions & Answers Log – User Access

Useful Links
Main Cognos Analytics Page:
http://www.ibm.biz/cognosanalytics
Videos and Demos:
https://www.youtube.com/user/Analyticszone/videos
Free Trial:
http://www.analyticszone.com
Documentation:
http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0
/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.cbi.doc/welcome.html?lang=en
FAQ Installation Steps:
http://www-
01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21974153

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Cognos Analytics v11: A Closer Look Questions & Answers

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